Courses

Choosing a course is one of the most important decisions you'll ever make! View our courses and see what our students and lecturers have to say about the courses you are interested in at the links below.

About NUI Galway

Since 1845, NUI Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.

Course Overview

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is a 30 ECTS one year, part-time programme designed to enhance the professional practice of those teaching in higher education. The programme is based in the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). On completion participants can receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, or can progress on to do the Postgraduate Diploma in Academic Practice. This popular certificate programme has been offered since 2007, and it begins in September of each year. Participants must be currently engaged in teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels, preferably in a number of modes (eg large classes and small classes) and are required to undertake some feedback exercises on their teaching practice.

This course is not suitable for those PhD students. PhD students are instead advised to take the GS506 module.

Applications and Selections

The course is now closed for applications for the academic year 2018/19.

CEL262 Reflective Practice and Professional Development – All Year (10 ECTS)

The programme involves a combination of class-based workshops, seminars, and lectures; critical reflection; and independent study. The programme uses continuous assessment (see Course Outline for more detail). A Prezi overview of the PgCert can be found here: http://buff.ly/2axBYH3

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Participants must be currently engaged in teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels, preferably in a number of modes (eg large classes and small classes) and are required to undertake some feedback exercises on their teaching practice.

Additional Requirements

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning will run in two cohorts. Participants can register for either:

Semester 1
Tuesdays: 5.30-8.30pm, starting 18th September 2018 then fortnightly until 11th December 2018
Or

Duration

Next start date

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

Closing Date

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

30 ECTS

Award

Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

CEL260 An Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (Semester 1)

This is the first module in the Postgraduate Certificate programme and covers a range of topics including large class teaching, student engagement, learning technologies, civic engagement and research-led teaching. The course is based on scheduled class sessions often with guest presenters. Assessment comprises maintaining an online 'learning journal' and a summative reflection on learning including identification of practical actions for developing teaching.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this module, participants should be able to:

Identify some of the key theories of learning in the higher education context;

Appreciate the strengths and weaknesses of a variety of teaching approaches which may be undertaken within particular contexts;

Debate and engage with some of the contemporary issues in higher education that impact on teaching practice;

Demonstrate a willingness to reflect on their own practice.

CEL261 Course Design, Assessment, and Evaluation (Semester 2)

This is the second module in the Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching & Learning in Higher Education. This semester focuses on describing, designing, assessing and evaluating courses and modules. Issues such as aligning learning outcomes with learning and teaching activities, and assessment will be central.

The assessment for this module will require participants to use the ‘constructive alignment’ process to critically evaluate and re-design a unit of teaching. This assessment activity can be used to design a new unit of teaching.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Through participating fully in this module we would expect successful students to be able to:

Critically reflect on their own course designs and assessment approaches;

Apply knowledge about various approaches to curriculum design to their own contexts;

Recognise the impact of particular external factors on their own teaching contexts.

CEL262 Reflective Practice and Professional Development

The main goal of this module is the development of a Teaching Portfolio, which exemplifies each participant’s critical self-reflection on their teaching practice, their developing philosophy of education and awareness of professional development issues. This module will also serve to revisit, probe and integrate ideas from across the course.

In order to satisfy the requirements of the module and the overall award of the certificate, participants must: (1) undertake the Grouped Student Evaluationprocess; (2) use the Partnerships for Learning & Teaching process with a colleague to peer review/observe each other’s teaching; (3) collate other relevant examples of teaching and learning practice. The module is assessed via a comprehensive Teaching Portfolio.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

List key developments and achievements in professional practice related to teaching and learning in higher education;

Demonstrate positive impact of teaching through reference to student, peer, and examiner feedback;

Evaluate both achievements and further professional development needs in light of the emerging philosophy of teaching and student/peer/examiner feedback.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Continuous Professional Development

The programme will contribute knowledge and skills to enhance your professional practice as a university teacher. It provides opportunities to demonstrate curriculum leadership through course and module design, and can facilitate career development through the production of a Teaching Portfolio. CELT courses contribute positively to career progression and promotion.

Mobility

This programme resembles many of the leading academic development programmes internationally. The award may be recognised by other institutions in Ireland and worldwide.

Who’s Suited to This Course

The Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education is particularly suited to those academics with a number of years teaching in higher education. The programme provides an opportunity to enhance existing practice through critical and scholarly reflection. However, it is also of value to early career university teachers seeking a more advanced introduction to teaching and learning in higher education.

Learning Outcomes

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€0 for NUIG staff

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€

Fees Information

NUIG staff do not pay fees for this programme.

External candidates will be required to pay fees. For more information please contact CELT: celt@nuigalway.ie